For more than eight years before Tuesday, Derek Jeter has been active for every game the Yankees. He collected 1,603 hits between trips to the disabled list, and the Yankees can only hope this one turns out as well for them than the last.
That was in 2003 when Jeter dislocated his shoulder in a collision at third on opening night in Toronto. The Yankees have won 25 of 36 games without Jeter, whose replacement at shortstop, Erick Almonte hit.272 when he was gone.
The Yankees would take the same Eduardo Nunez now with a strained right calf sidelined Jeter. Nunez had a good start Tuesday, driving in the first inning in a 12-4 victory at Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium. He said Jeter told him to look for a fastball Alexi Ogando, and that's what he hit.
"This is a very important player, we lost, I understand," said Nunez. "My goal is to play and do my best."
Nunez singled out two times in four at-bats, and Brett Gardner, who took over the leadoff hitter, reached four times and scored three runs. The Yankees have hit the previously undefeated and Ogando belt three home runs off the Rangers bullpen, is gaining ground in the standings American League East. They stand a game and half behind the Red Sox, who lost to Tampa Bay.
If Nunez mimics Almonte - neither hurt nor help the team significantly - it easily back on the bench for the return of Jeter. But if Nunez surpasses Jeter, who hit a soft 0260, Jeter could be back annoying. It is not his first, as it was in 2003.
Nunez said he did not want an opportunity because of injury, but now he, "I can show everyone that I can play, and I can play every day." Manager Joe Girardi said Nunez, who hit 0233, seemed to play under control.
"Do not try to be Derek Jeter, Eduardo Nunez try to be," Girardi said, explaining his expectations. "You're an exciting young player who has great speed and can do certain things. Just be yourself."
Ogando entered the match with a record of 7-0 and a 2.10 earned run average, just behind Boston in the AL Josh Beckett He was tied with Beckett for the lowest average opponents in 0188, but The Yankees jumped on his high fastballs.
It was their second time handling Ogando, who allowed five runs in the Bronx in April. In two starts against the Yankees, Ogando of ERA is 12.38. In 11 starts against all other teams, it is 1.68.
Ogando started with a 1-2-3 first round, but the Yankees pounded him in the second. Two hits and one foot high Nunez with the bases loaded and one out, and he hammered a 1-1 pitch into left field for a run scoring single.
Gardner finger left on a check swing with two outs, Mark Teixeira called "hit five run" because of the flood that followed. Curtis Granderson distinguished into two, Teixeira drove in two more to hunt Ogando, and the Yankees were not done.
Nick Swisher has homered in the first row in left field in the third inning. Alex Rodriguez doubled home two in the fourth. Granderson smashed a two-run homer to right in the sixth, and three batters later, Robinson Cano connected for a solo shot.
Toronto matched Granderson Jose Bautista to the head of the Major League home runs with 21. The Yankees lead the majors with 98 channels - an overwhelming advantage over their opponents, which reached only 51, none in seven innings from CC Sabathia (8-4) Tuesday.
INSIDE PITCH
The Yankees have reached a contract with Brian Gordon, a 32-year-old right-hander who was 5-0 with a 1.14 earned run average in 12 games (nine starts) for Philadelphia Class AAA team. Gordon, a former outfielder, had a clause in his contract and requested his release. Gordon last row on Saturday, while the Yankees could start him on Thursday in place of the injured Bartolo Colon. Gordon started three games for the Texas Rangers in 2008. ... The right-hander Phil Hughes threw 49 pitches against Yankees minor leaguers Tuesday in Tampa, Florida, Hughes, who is trying to build arm strength after a slow start to his season is essentially spring training and worked for repeat two simulation games.
That was in 2003 when Jeter dislocated his shoulder in a collision at third on opening night in Toronto. The Yankees have won 25 of 36 games without Jeter, whose replacement at shortstop, Erick Almonte hit.272 when he was gone.
The Yankees would take the same Eduardo Nunez now with a strained right calf sidelined Jeter. Nunez had a good start Tuesday, driving in the first inning in a 12-4 victory at Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium. He said Jeter told him to look for a fastball Alexi Ogando, and that's what he hit.
"This is a very important player, we lost, I understand," said Nunez. "My goal is to play and do my best."
Nunez singled out two times in four at-bats, and Brett Gardner, who took over the leadoff hitter, reached four times and scored three runs. The Yankees have hit the previously undefeated and Ogando belt three home runs off the Rangers bullpen, is gaining ground in the standings American League East. They stand a game and half behind the Red Sox, who lost to Tampa Bay.
If Nunez mimics Almonte - neither hurt nor help the team significantly - it easily back on the bench for the return of Jeter. But if Nunez surpasses Jeter, who hit a soft 0260, Jeter could be back annoying. It is not his first, as it was in 2003.
Nunez said he did not want an opportunity because of injury, but now he, "I can show everyone that I can play, and I can play every day." Manager Joe Girardi said Nunez, who hit 0233, seemed to play under control.
"Do not try to be Derek Jeter, Eduardo Nunez try to be," Girardi said, explaining his expectations. "You're an exciting young player who has great speed and can do certain things. Just be yourself."
Ogando entered the match with a record of 7-0 and a 2.10 earned run average, just behind Boston in the AL Josh Beckett He was tied with Beckett for the lowest average opponents in 0188, but The Yankees jumped on his high fastballs.
It was their second time handling Ogando, who allowed five runs in the Bronx in April. In two starts against the Yankees, Ogando of ERA is 12.38. In 11 starts against all other teams, it is 1.68.
Ogando started with a 1-2-3 first round, but the Yankees pounded him in the second. Two hits and one foot high Nunez with the bases loaded and one out, and he hammered a 1-1 pitch into left field for a run scoring single.
Gardner finger left on a check swing with two outs, Mark Teixeira called "hit five run" because of the flood that followed. Curtis Granderson distinguished into two, Teixeira drove in two more to hunt Ogando, and the Yankees were not done.
Nick Swisher has homered in the first row in left field in the third inning. Alex Rodriguez doubled home two in the fourth. Granderson smashed a two-run homer to right in the sixth, and three batters later, Robinson Cano connected for a solo shot.
Toronto matched Granderson Jose Bautista to the head of the Major League home runs with 21. The Yankees lead the majors with 98 channels - an overwhelming advantage over their opponents, which reached only 51, none in seven innings from CC Sabathia (8-4) Tuesday.
INSIDE PITCH
The Yankees have reached a contract with Brian Gordon, a 32-year-old right-hander who was 5-0 with a 1.14 earned run average in 12 games (nine starts) for Philadelphia Class AAA team. Gordon, a former outfielder, had a clause in his contract and requested his release. Gordon last row on Saturday, while the Yankees could start him on Thursday in place of the injured Bartolo Colon. Gordon started three games for the Texas Rangers in 2008. ... The right-hander Phil Hughes threw 49 pitches against Yankees minor leaguers Tuesday in Tampa, Florida, Hughes, who is trying to build arm strength after a slow start to his season is essentially spring training and worked for repeat two simulation games.
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